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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Randy Johnson Almost Traded to the Blue Jays

In 1948, Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck said: "sometimes, the best trades are the ones you never make".

Midway through the 1948 season, the Indians nearly sent their star player Lou Boudreau to the St. Louis Browns. Due to an uproar by the Indians fans, the team didn't pull the trigger on the trade and he remained with the club.

Keeping Boudreau would prove to be the right move as the Indians went on to win the 1948 World Series and Lou Boudreau picked up the AL MVP Award.

While it's true that occasionally the best move is no move, isn't it fun to wonder what might have happened if certain trades actually took place while others didn't?

The Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter is the prime example of a trade that changed the course of the franchise. Ultimately it led to the Blue Jays winning two World Series, but what if they didn't do that trade? Or what if they did pull the trigger on another blockbuster trade?

Randy Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays for Steve Karsay and Mike Timlin.

It could have been a veritable powder keg that may have altered the Blue Jays timeline entirely, but instead it just fizzled out. Had Seattle Mariners GM Woody Woodward not gone golfing on August 1st 1993, perhaps Randy Johnson would have been a part of the 1993 World Champion squad.

"Gillick had two deals going, one with Oakland for Rickey Henderson (Steve Karsay and a player to be named later), one with Seattle for Randy Johnson (Karsay and Mike Timlin).

He wanted the Johnson deal, but Pat couldn't find Woody Woodward (Mariners GM), who was playing golf. Sandy Alderson called and took the Henderson deal.

Problem was, Rickey being Rickey, he wanted money to waive his rights. While that was being negotiated, Woodward called and said he'd take the Johnson deal.

Pat Gillick felt he had given his word to Alderson, even if the deal hadn't been finalized. So he put the Seattle deal on hold."

Despite losing out on Randy Johnson, the Blue Jays ultimately fared very well in 1993, but one wonders what might have happened had Woody Woodward been at his desk that day to answer the phone when Pat Gillick called.

Ricky Henderson didn't really do very much in the 1993 ALCS and World Series, but he was more of a rental player to help the Blue Jays solidify their spot on the playoffs, whereas Randy Johnson could have been a new building block for the franchise.

Might the Blue Jays horrible stretch during the mid-90's have been avoided with Randy Johnson in the starting rotation? Knowing what we know now, obviously trading for Randy Johnson would have been much more lucrative in the long term that getting Ricky Henderson for the home stretch.

But can you imagine what the 1994 Blue Jays rotation would have looked like? Randy Johnson, Dave Stewart, Juan Guzman, Pat Hentgen and Al Leiter.

Or if history played out as it did in the late 90's, how about a 1998 Blue Jays rotation comprised of Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens and Pat Hentgen? It's mind-boggling to think that could have been a possibility.

I did a long piece like this (and honsetly can't remember if i posted it or just for my own amusement) in which I postulated 3 key changes which were affordable on similar budgets, would have produced better results, and made me feel better about the Jays history:

1. Kept Key his whole career (and passed on Morris)2. Kept Cone most of the rest of his career (and passed on Stewart)3. Kept Alomar the rest of his career (and not given Carter that last expensive contract)

I'd not thought, then, about the Johnson deal but that would have been even sweeter.

From 93-97 Key had a 125 ERA+ and only one off seasonFrom 93-98 Cone had a 144 and was good ever year

From 92-98 Johnson was at 147.

Wouldn't have signed Clemens, wouldn't have needed to. Hentgen would have been the 4th starter almost his entire run through the 90's (with Guzman mostly the #5)

That and Robbie leading the offense would have made a huge difference.

throw in a little extra spending and they don't throw away Olerud for nothing...but i was trying to keep this list short.

Tammy, the makeup of this team could've looked a whole lot different had a few things happened (and others didn't). It's fun to postulate if things might have been different, though.

Anon, good question about Winfield. Gillick made the right play to sign Molitor to DH in 1993 and beyond instead of Winfield. It still blows my mind that he played 26 games in the outfield for the Blue Jays in '92.

Jay, it kind of makes you wonder why Seattle was so eager to part with Randy Johnson. Maybe they thought he just wouldn't pan out.

GoSens, let me know how it turns out! I wonder if they would've made it back to the World Series to try to go for the three-peat!

I remember this rumor. The problem with the 94 Jays was they were old, the AL finally figured out Juan Guzman, and the BP was hurt badly with what turned out to be a career ending injury to Duane Ward as no one could pick up the slack.

Randy might not have stopped the painful slide in 95-96, but as you pointed out he might have helped the team in 98. Considering how bad the Jays were, I doubt he would have stayed.

It's a nice what might have been, but then again Gord Ash seemed to me the Tony Reagins of that era and the Jays were doomed to being quite crappy.

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About the Blue Jay Hunter

The Blue Jay Hunter is a blog about the Toronto Blue Jays, which takes a look at the team under the microscope. Mixed in with just a hint of humour, and a shred of dignity. I also have an affinity for baseball moustaches.